Youman Nabi: Pres Ali underscores importance of “justice without vengeance, truth without hatred”

President Dr Irfaan Ali has underscored the importance of “justice without vengeance and truth without hatred” in his message to the nation in observance of Youman Nabi.
According to President Ali, the words of the Holy Prophet Muhammad resonate deeply with the country in the wake of the MV Barima tragedy.
Some 100 persons lost their lives when the cargo and passenger ferry sank off the coast of Guyana on July 18.
“The Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, taught that a community must never become indifferent to the suffering of another. He taught examples of mutual love, compassion, and sympathy. He taught that the body is one; when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches. Those words are of particular resonance for Guyana at a time when our nation has been touched recently by profound tragedy. In the hush of sorrow, let our differences fade like mist before the sun; let our compassion rise like a tide; let our shared humanity become our shelter and our strength,” President Ali expressed in his message to the nation on the occasion of this day.
He highlighted that Youman Nabi is a time when Muslims remember the birth and life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad, and according to President Ali, “it is the occasion when we reflect upon the profound legacy of a man whose life not only transformed Islam but also the nature of human civilisation.”
President Ali noted that Muslims do not celebrate not merely his birth, but the values he brought into the world, including faith and humility; mercy and compassion; forgiveness and patience; truth and justice; and unity and peace.
“The Prophet’s life also teaches us that, while we may grieve deeply, grief must not become despair, sorrow must not become hatred, and tragedy must never become a chisel of division, nor a spark for suspicion, nor a seed for strife. This is the Prophet’s timeless way: seek truth, but without fury; pursue justice, but without malice; correct what is broken, but without vengeance; and not engage in the reckless assignment of blame before the facts are known,” the Head of State said.
His message comes as authorities seek to investigate what went wrong in the deadly ferry accident, ensure those responsible are held accountable, support those affected, and put systems in place to prevent future incidents.
“On this Youman Nabi, let us therefore draw from the example of the Holy Prophet. Peace and blessings be upon him. The courage to seek truth, the wisdom to pursue justice, and the humanity to embrace those who suffer. Let us mourn together, comfort one another, and stand together. Let neighbour not turn against neighbour, nor grief against grief. Let tragedy become not a wedge that separates us but a bridge that brings us closer,” President Ali said.
“May the spirit of Youman Nabi illuminate Guyana with faith and compassion, justice without vengeance, truth without hatred, and togetherness beyond our differences. May God Almighty bless Guyana and its people, comfort every grieving heart, and guide our nation towards greater compassion, justice, peace, and unity,” he added.
Already, a five-member international Commission of Inquiry (CoI) has been established to investigate the circumstances surrounding the MV Barima tragedy, and groundworks are expected to begin next month.
Additionally, three members of the Transport and Harbours Department (T&HD) have been charged with 72 counts of murder and have been remanded to prison.
Moreover, President Ali has established a safety and compliance audit team to undertake a comprehensive review of the safety and compliance standards governing marine vessels operating in Guyana. The team will examine compliance with applicable maritime safety requirements and make recommendations to strengthen oversight, improve enforcement and ensure that vessels, operators and regulatory systems meet the highest practicable standards of safety and accountability.
Those impacted by the tragedy continue to receive various forms of support from the Government under the HEART Initiative launched by the Guyanese leader.